No charges laid in Ferguson city hall shoving investigation

The OPP has wrapped uptheir investigation and not laid any chargesin the matter ofCoun. Lloyd Ferguson grabbing a local journalist at Hamilton city hall last year.

The Ancaster councillor released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the OPP visited him. The officerstold him that "after a long and thorough investigation, there will be no further action," he said.

Ferguson told CBC Hamilton that was the result he expected, and it aligns with the findings of the city's integrity commissioner.

"It's gone on long enough," said Ferguson, who is also chair of the Hamilton Police Services board.

The OPP never did confirm that they were investigating the incident, saying only that they were investigating a "historical assault" at Hamilton city hall.

Sgt. Dave Rektorfrom the OPP confirmed Wednesday that the "historical assault"investigation has concluded, and "no charges have been laid."

The OPP said in March that it was investigating an incident after Hamilton Police Service identified a conflict of interest.

The incident happened on Feb. 24, 2014. After a long, contentious meeting, Ferguson grabbed Joey Coleman, an independent journalist who live streams city hall meetings, and moved him about one metre.

Hamilton integrity commissioner Earl Basse investigated the incident, saying that Ferguson violated the code of conduct. But Basse did not recommend sanctions.

Ferguson also said he'd donate $1,000 to the Ancaster Community Services organization and step down from the subcommittee that chose a new integrity commissioner/lobbyist registrar.

Coleman wouldn't comment Wednesday, saying he was waiting for the OPP to issue a statement. He was vocal against Basse's report earlier this yearthough, as was Ontario Ombudsman Andr Marin, who said it was incomplete and likened it to work done by a third grader.